Hours could change at city schools

Earlier start times would allow officials to maximize bus use and save money

Tuscaloosa City Schools officials say changing school start times would enable bus drivers to run more routes in a day and could cut down on the number of buses needed, which would save the system money and reduce school traffic in problem areas.

File | The Tuscaloosa News

By Jamon SmithStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 10:36 p.m.

The Tuscaloosa City School System may change its school hours next school year.

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Mike Daria, assistant superintendent of general administration, proposed the changes to the school board last week.

According to the proposal:

Elementary school hours would change to 7:50 a.m.-2:35 p.m. instead of the current 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m.

Middle school hours would be 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. instead of 8:05 a.m.-3:05p.m.

High school hours would be 8:15 a.m.-3:35 p.m. instead of 8 a.m.-3:20 p.m.

Daria said changing the times would enable bus drivers to run more routes in a day and could cut down on the number of buses needed, which would save the system money and reduce school traffic in problem areas like Rock Quarry elementary and middle schools.

“Having two separate start times with a longer period of time in between them allows us greater efficiency in our transportation department,” Daria said.

Currently, most bus drivers run two routes. If the times are changed, they will run two routes in the morning and two routes in the evening for a total of four. It could result in a cut of 10 buses.

The reduction would not cause any drivers to lose their jobs, Daria said. The plan is to reduce the bus count through attrition.

“We already have some bus driver vacancies right now,” he said.

Daria said system officials don't specifically know how much money the change will save.

“We won't be able to determine how much money we save until we see how many buses exactly we're reduced by,” he said. “This also depends on how many of our students require transportation next year. That does change each year.”

Daria said anyone who wants to comment on the changes can do so on the school system's website at www.tuscaloosacityschools.com.

<p>The Tuscaloosa City School System may change its school hours next school year.</p><p>Mike Daria, assistant superintendent of general administration, proposed the changes to the school board last week.</p><p>According to the proposal: </p><p>Elementary school hours would change to 7:50 a.m.-2:35 p.m. instead of the current 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m.</p><p>Middle school hours would be 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. instead of 8:05 a.m.-3:05p.m.</p><p>High school hours would be 8:15 a.m.-3:35 p.m. instead of 8 a.m.-3:20 p.m.</p><p>Daria said changing the times would enable bus drivers to run more routes in a day and could cut down on the number of buses needed, which would save the system money and reduce school traffic in problem areas like Rock Quarry elementary and middle schools.</p><p>“Having two separate start times with a longer period of time in between them allows us greater efficiency in our transportation department,” Daria said.</p><p>Currently, most bus drivers run two routes. If the times are changed, they will run two routes in the morning and two routes in the evening for a total of four. It could result in a cut of 10 buses.</p><p>The reduction would not cause any drivers to lose their jobs, Daria said. The plan is to reduce the bus count through attrition.</p><p>“We already have some bus driver vacancies right now,” he said.</p><p>Daria said system officials don't specifically know how much money the change will save.</p><p>“We won't be able to determine how much money we save until we see how many buses exactly we're reduced by,” he said. “This also depends on how many of our students require transportation next year. That does change each year.”</p><p>Daria said anyone who wants to comment on the changes can do so on the school system's website at www.tuscaloosacityschools.com.</p><p>Reach Jamon Smith at jamon.smith@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.</p>